World Mental Health Day will be observed today in the country as elsewhere in the world with rights activists urging the government to enact a law immediately to ease the sufferings of the country's over 1.4 crore mentally ill people.

Different socio-cultural organisations took elaborate programmes to observe the day focusing on this year's theme, "Mental health and chronic physical illness: The need for continuous and integrated care”.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health M Golam Rabbani said, “People with mental disorders are often stigmatised and subject to neglect and abuse”.

He called for a concerted effort to combat this deeply rooted problem.

People suffering from chronic diseases like heart diseases, diabetes, cancer and

high blood pressure are more prone to mental health problems, he added.

National Mental Health Institute is hosting a discussion meeting on the occasion at the Bangladesh Medical Association auditorium today.

On the eve of the day, World Health Organisation (WHO) launched new simplified diagnosis and treatment guidelines for people with common but untreated mental and neurological disorders.

A WHO study shows that over 16 percent people aged above 18 are suffering from different mental disorders in the country while the rate is 26 percent among children and teenagers.

It estimates that one in four people globally in their lifetime will experience a mental health condition that can be prevented through social awareness.

At Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday, leaders of the National Forum of Organisations Working with the Disabled at a press conference demanded expedit-

ing the process of enacting mental health law and make it public so that people can benefit.

BSS adds, in a message on the eve of the day, President Zillur Rahman said modern and quality healthcare facilities need to be ensured for all to make the society happy and prosperous.

Any illness makes people mentally upset, he said.

The president said an integrated healthcare service is a must to make the people healthy, wealthy and wise.

He wished the day's programmes a total success.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in another message, said adequate care for mental health along with physical health is necessary to make a happy and prosperous society.

The government is committed to reach quality healthcare facilities to the doorstep of all, said the prime minister.

She wished programmes of the day a success.